Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Manus.
Hi Krista, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I always enjoyed taking photos as a kid (back in the film days!) and loved dropping off a roll of film with some random snaps. When I was an adult, I was participating in triathlons and mountain bike events and, honestly, was a little shocked by the price of photos of me gasping for air. So I picked up a camera to photograph my husband’s races, which turned into me photographing a few small running races.
One evening while watching TV, my husband asked why I never took sexy photos for him. I had never even considered it – let alone really knew what that was – I was familiar with Glamour Shots, of course. I started reading about boudoir, started experimenting and taking selfies for him when he was gone. This turned into a passion project that led to more and more research. Eventually, I went to a photography conference and that convinced me to reach out to a few friends to see if they would model for me. One of them said yes, she later referred a friend and the rest is history!
But even more fun than how I got into photography is my background! I’m actually an engineer by trade – I have a B.S. in Engineering Technology from Purdue University. I spent 15 years in the defense industry working various projects, and eventually ending up in project management and innovation development. I also hold an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management (now part of ASU). No, I barely use either degree these days! I do still consult with a small engineering contractor from time to time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. I was on an upswing before Covid and actually through the Covid years. This was largely driven by the fact people weren’t traveling as much, weren’t going as many places and had excess money to spend. Plus, it was also nice to see yourself again after spending days hanging out in virtual meetings or wearing a mask everywhere.
We struggled in 2022-2023 because I tried making some changes in the business that didn’t work and then I started grasping for straws. In late 2023, I started working with a new ads person and he really helped turn things around and we’ve had very successful years since.
But even looking more granular, some months are better than others and you really have to learn to track those things and be able to recognize that not every month is amazing and that some seasons have more reschedules or cancellations and it is really how you pivot and adapt that makes your sucess.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am most proud that our studio has been and remains solely focused on boudoir. There are a lot of photographers who specialize in basically everything and that’s great. But we really want to hone in on one thing and be really, really good at it.
We also are stand-alone in that we work with all people – not just women. Boudoir has traditionally been something women do for a partner, and while the motivation for a boudoir sessions has shifted, the industry still heavily focuses on women.
We introduced couples sessions early on in the business and we have about 20% of our clientele that are coming in for couples sessions – most of them, one partner has had a solo session before. But it isn’t uncommon for it to go the other way – couples session first and then come back for a solo session.
In addition, we work with men. There are few studios in the country who work with solo men and we are in the forefront of developing the best marketing concepts and spreading the word that men deserve a boudoir session just as much as women. Boudoir sessions now are about the experience and connecting with yourself and less as a sexy gift for someone else.
We are also a safe and inclusive studio.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I hate failing. It will literally make me cry. This hasn’t always been an easy journey (what small business is?) and there have been nights that I felt like giving up. My business partner has even said I could, it was ok if I wanted to, and that often had the opposite effect. My resolve strengthened and I pushed forward. I know what we do for people is meaningful and I want to continue to offer that service to as many people as I can.
Pricing:
- Boudoir isn’t cheap and it shouldn’t be. This is an intimate experience and you should not trust just anyone.
- We offer hair and makeup services for our sessions
- We offer a client closet (XS-6X) for the ladies and we’ll be adding some men’s options this year
- Images and products are not included in our session retainer
- We have many payment and financing options available to make this attainable
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.unleashedboudoir.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleashedboudoir/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unleashedboudoir
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@unleashed.boudoir
